EPA Aims To Block Pebble Mine Appeal As Judge Halts CWA Veto Process

摘要

EPA is asking a federal appeals court to reject the mining sector's suit over the agency's proposed preemptive Clean Water Act (CWA) veto of the controversial Pebble Mine, saying the veto is not a "final" action subject to judicial review, while a district court judge has halted the veto process pending resolution of other litigation. Several cases are pending against the planned hard-rock mine near Alaska's Bristol Bay, for which EPA issued a proposed CWA section 404(c) veto due to concerns about potential adverse impacts on the surrounding watershed. EPA floated the novel veto following a study of mining risks in the watershed that industry has criticized.